The Ural cT, a stripped down version of its Ural brothers, is a base model on which you can build your own sidecar bike. Rolling with a 749 cc engine and not a lot else, it is designed to have easier handling for new sidecar enthusiasts. The cT comes without accessories such as a spare tire, passenger grab handles, rear fender rack, tool bag, air pump, rubber trunk floor mat or knee grips. Keep it clean or customize it with a whole slew of accessories from your Ural dealer.

Continue reading my review of the Ural cT

2015 - 2018 Ural cT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 - 2018 Ural cT
  • Engine/Motor: OHV air cooled 2 cylinder 4 stroke “boxer” (flat twin)
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Design

Whether clean or accessorized, once out on the street you'll find out in quick order what Ural riders call "UDF." Who couldn't resist stopping to admire one of these awesome sidecar bikes with their vintage look? That's where "UDF" will get you every time you leave the house on your cT. "UDF" – Ural Delay Factor -- is the extra time you'll need to add to your trip to account for the folks who want to talk to you about what you're riding.

Unlike the Ural T, the cT is lower and weighs in lighter, making it easier to handle. If you don't have a passenger, add a little ballast in the sidecar -- maybe 80 or 100 pounds -- and with the low center of gravity, the cT is zippy around corners and so fun to drive.

From a mechanical standpoint, it is possible to remove the sidecar, but the handling dynamics for the cT are designed such that it's meant to have the sidecar installed. This is a mad-fun bike for daily use. Take the dog for a ride, pick up groceries and then pack up the camping gear for a weekend retreat.

New from 2016, the cT had new weather stripping around the trunk lid to keep your gear reliably dry, and then from 2017, the cT got upgraded seating, an electronic speedometer with built-in indicators, a handlebar-mounted parking brake and spotlight controls, additional storage under the sidecar cushion, and a reverse foot pedal to replace the handlebar mounted lever. The improvements aren't major, but took care of some grumbling points from previous model years.

Chassis

IMZ leading-link fork on the front suspension may seem old school. Leading-link front suspension was the norm before manufacturers went to the hydraulic telescopic front forks, but the coil-over shock on the cT dampens front suspension movement more efficiently than the old-fashioned springs of yesteryear so I'm not rolling my eyes at the old-school tech here.

The 6.5-inch ground clearance contributes to its 31-inch seat height, but with three wheels under me, I'm okay with that. Yes, I'm short so seat height is a big deal. Salient point is, you won't need any leg to keep it upright at stops, so even if you tippy-toe, you're good.

The cT has four-piston fixed Brembo calipers on the front wheel, HB big-bore single-piston calipers on the rear wheel and two-piston Brembo calipers on the sidecar -- same as the rest of the line-up -- giving you ample stopping power for this awesome ride. Rear suspension consists of a 5x adjustable, double-sided swing-arm with two Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorbers. Sidecar is similar with a 5x adjustable, single-sided swing-arm suspension with Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorbers.

Front suspension:

IMZ leading link fork

Rear suspension:

Double sided swing-arm with two Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorbers, 5x adjustable

Sidecar suspension:

Single sided swing-arm with Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorber, 5x adjustable

Wheels:

2.5 x 18 inch Aluminum rims with steel spokes

Tires:

Heidenau, 4.0 x 18 inches

Front brake:

four-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 295 mm floating NG rotor

Rear brake:

HB big bore single piston integrated floating caliper with 256 mm fixed NG rotor

Sidecar brake:

two-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 245 mm floating NG rotor


Drivetrain

The cT has the 749 cc OHV air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke “boxer” engine paired with the five-speed manual transmission -- that's four speeds forward and one reverse -- to produce a respectable 42 pound-feet of torque and 41 horsepower. Reverse in the transmission means I'm not tippy-toeing trying to move the bike back; always a plus, especially with a sidecar.

New from 2016, the folks at Ural added some improvements such as a new starter motor, compressible fiber-aluminum gaskets to seal exhaust head pipes, modified wire harness and throttle bodies as well as a fuel sensor baffle in the fuel tank. From 2017, they installed a combination relay and fuse box under left side panel. Again, not major, but making improvements on weak points.

Engine type:

OHV air cooled 2 cylinder 4 stroke “boxer” (flat twin)

Displacement:

749 cc

Bore and stroke:

78 x 78 mm

Max output:

41 horsepower at 5,500 rpm

Max torque:

42 pound-feet at 4,300 rpm

Compression:

8.6 to 1

Fuel system:

Throttle body EFI

Starting:

Electric & Kickstart

Clutch:

Double-disc dry

Transmission type:

Manual, 5-speed (four forward, one reverse)

Primary drive (rear wheel):

Driveshaft

Engageable sidecar wheel drive:

No


Pricing

With an MSRP of $14,499 – same as last year – I consider this bike quite affordable for what you get. It comes in a slew of colors for 2018, which is basically what I've said in previous years that you can get it in any color available in the model-year lineup. Add $1,000 for premium colors or $1,500 for a choice of camos. From the factory, you can also get a blackout option. Get the engine, gearbox and final drive blacked-out for an additional $1,000 and/or get undercoating on the outside bottom of the tub and the inside of the fenders for $600.

Warranty:

two-years parts and labor, unlimited mileage

Extended Warranty:

Third year extended warranty for $850 available at any time within two years of purchase

Available Colors:

Burgundy Satin, Slate Grey, OD Green, Burgundy Metallic, Cascade Green, Grey Metallic, Bronze, Rainier White, Sahara, Taiga, Terracotta Metallic, Baikal Blue

Price:

2016:

$12,999

2017:

$14,499

2018:

$14,499, Premium Colors: $15,499, Camo: $15,999


Competitors

Trying to find a competitor for these Urals is a challenge. Sure there are after-market kits to equip a sidecar to lots of bikes out there, but who makes one straight from the factory like Ural does? Trikes aren't really the same thing. Help me out here. If you're looking at the cT as a serious possibility on your short list of motorcycles to buy, what else are you looking at? Leave me a message in Comments.

He Said

My husband and fellow writer, TJ Hinton, says, "I have said before that I have an appreciation for antique military hardware, and this machine almost tips me over into the 'kid in a candy store' zone. I can easily see myself tooling down the road with a silk scarf and helmet set at a jaunty angle, with my pit-bull companion sporting antique-looking aviator goggles, and some WWII fighter nose-art adorning the sidecar."

She Said

"With a limited number of dealers and service centers in the U.S., I was wondering where I would get warranty work done if/when I get one of these babies. I was pleased to find out Ural is happy to work with a local shop I trust that is willing to go through their warranty process. That's a relief. I like the stripped-down cT, but I think I'd have to add the spare tire and ammo box. I like the look of those options and they're practical, too. Not that I'd use the ammo box for ammo, but it is watertight extra storage."

Specifications

Engine & Drivetrain:

Engine type:

OHV air cooled 2 cylinder 4 stroke “boxer” (flat twin)

Displacement:

749 cc

Valve per cylinder:

2

Bore and stroke:

78 x 78 mm

Max output:

41 horsepower at 5,500 rpm

Max torque:

42 pound-feet at 4,300 rpm

Compression:

8.6 to 1

Fuel system:

Throttle body EFI

Starting:

Electric & Kickstart

Clutch:

Double-disc dry

Transmission type:

Manual

Speeds:

four forward, one reverse

Primary drive (rear wheel):

Driveshaft

Final drive ratio:

4.62

Engageable sidecar wheel drive:

No

[[Chassis:

Front suspension:

IMZ leading link fork

Rear suspension:

Double sided swing-arm with two Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorbers, 5x adjustable

Sidecar suspension:

Single sided swing-arm with Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorber, 5x adjustable

Wheels:

2.5 x 18 inch Aluminum rims with steel spokes

Tires:

Heidenau, 4.0 x 18 inches

Front brake:

four-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 295 mm floating NG rotor

Rear brake:

HB big bore single piston integrated floating caliper with 256 mm fixed NG rotor

Sidecar brake:

two-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 245 mm floating NG rotor

Dimensions & Capacities:

Overall length:

91.6 inches

Overall heights:

53.8 inches

Overall width:

63.6 inches

Seat height, (unladen):

31.0 inches

Ground clearance (unladen):

6.5 inches

Dry weight:

700 pounds

Fuel tank capacity:

5.0 gallons

Reserve:

approx. One gallon

Max permissible weight:

1325 pounds

Trunk volume:

2.9 cubic feet

Electric:

Alternator:

Denso, Peak Output 40A @ 14V DC, 560 Wt

Battery:

FAYTX20HL (12V, 20Amp/h)

Headlight:

H4

Spark plugs:

NGK BPR6HS

Details:

Fuel grade:

91 Octane, unleaded

Estimated fuel economy:

31-37 mpg

Estimated range:

155-185 miles

Recommended max cruising speed:

70 mph

Warranty:

two-years parts and labor, unlimited mileage

Extended Warranty:

Third year extended warranty for $850 available at any time within two years of purchase

Available Colors:

Burgundy Satin, Slate Grey, OD Green, Burgundy Metallic, Cascade Green, Grey Metallic, Bronze, Rainier White, Sahara, Taiga, Terracotta Metallic, Baikal Blue

Price:

2016:

$12,999

2017:

$14,499

2018:

$14,499, Premium Colors: $15,499, Camo: $15,999